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THE  FLOIERS  OF  LIFE 


BY 


ANTHONY  J,  DREXEL  BIDDLE 


Author  of  "An  Allegory  and  Three  Essays." 


PHILADELPHIA 

DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER 

WALNUT  STREET 

1897 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1897,  by 

ANTHONY  J.  DREXEL  BIDDLE, 
in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


®o  one  toljose  influence,  like  some  rabiant  star, 
firings  ^eaoen's  fjoijj  beauts  from  afar : 
life,  mg  ail— mg  CDife— to  eoer  be 
guibe  tljrougljotit  tlje  long  eternitg. 


Scoeral  of  tlje  writings  in  tljis  collection  arc 
republisljeb  from  periodicals  anb  rctriseb  from 
a  brocfjnre  entitleb  '"^.n  ^llcgorg  anb  £l)ree 


SUBJECTS. 


PAGE 

THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE, 9 

A  FOREST  IDYL, 13 

TRUTH,  LOVE  AND  TRUE  LOVE, 17 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  THE  ONLY  CHILD, 21 

A  CORPOREAL  ARGUMENT, 25 

THE  MOUNTAIN  CLIMBER, 29 

ETERNITY  MEANS  ADVANCEMENT, 35 

REMARKS, 43 

THE  BOOK, 49 

THE  NEWSPAPER, 53 

THE  MIND,     61 

MOTIVE, 67 

OPINION, 73 

THE  LIFE  OF  AN  EPHEMERON, 77 


f foyers  of  fctfe 


IT  seems  that  there  must  be  slothfulness  among 
plants  as  among  people.  For  of  two  plants 
of  the  same  kind  growing  side  by  side,  does  not 
often  one  use  its  productive  powers  and  cover  its 
branches  with  floral  beauty  while  the  other 
remains  flowerless? 

W e  see  two  men  :  the  one  living  for  the  pleas 
ure  and  the  betterment  of  his  fellow-beings,  and 
the  other,  like  the  flowerless  plant,  absorbing  all 
the  benefit  he  can  derive  in  life,  being  too  slothful 
to  give  forth  or  to  develop  in  turn  any  beauty  or 
good  of  himself. 

We  value  a  plant  according  to  the  delicacy  and 
number  of  flowers  it  produces.  And  what  joy 
flowers  give !  We  remember  them  long  after 
they  are  withered  and  dead. 

This  lesson  then  seems  to  be  taught  by  the 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

flowering  plants  which  give  beauty  to  the  earth 
and  fragrance  to  the  air : 

To  develop  the  good  which  we  gather  and'  to 
make  it  blossom  into  noble  deeds. 

And  there  is  so  much  good  to  be  gathered  that 
if  all  men  reproduced  but  a  half  of  that  they 
absorbed,  it  seems  that  this  world  would  then 
become  the  flowering  garden  of  Paradise. 


forerf 


forest  rustled : 
J-      And  sun-silvered  leaves 
Flashed  merry  sparkles 
Through  the  shading  trees. 

The  brooklet  gurgled 
O'er  its  pebbly  bed, 
Reflecting  the  sparkles 
Anon,  overhead. 

Clouds  above  thickened 
In  gathering  storm, 
And  hiding  the  sun 
Made  the  wood  forlorn. 

Then  bright  lightning  flashed 

Most  vividly  bright, 

And  relit  the  dark 

With  great  streaks  of  light. 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

But  the  lightning  wild, 
With  its  cold,  fierce  rays, 
Set  the  wood  groaning 
And  its  trees  ablaze. 

The  brook  sighed :  "  Return 
Sunshine,  soft  and  warm  !" 
Gentle  light  sheds  good, 
Not  lightning  of  storm. 


lasts  eternally  ;  and  God  is  love : 
-*-      So  love  and  truth  are  blessings  from  above. 
If  true  love  bind  true  lovers,  God's  image 
Exists  in  them,  in  their  earth's  pilgrimage. 


£>n  ffle 


of 


THE  summer's  night  was  dark  and  still. 
My  wife  and  I  sat  in  our  little  hovel. 
Our  eyes  were  dry  from  long  continued  weeping, 
for  the  child,  the  only  child  was  dead  and  gone  ! 

We  thought  and  wondered  of  the  great  un 
known  :  was  it  life  or  death  beyond  the  grave  ? 
We  wondered.  It  had  seemed  with  the  birth  of 
our  child  that  our  spirits  joined  for  eternity. 
But  now,  in  infancy,  the  child  had  been  taken 
from  us.  What  could  be  God's  meaning  ? 

We  were  poor,  poverty  stricken.  But  happy 
in  each  other,  our  happiness  had  been  crowned 
complete  when  we  felt  our  souls  united  in  our 
own,  our  new-born  babe. 

Ah,  how  my  Love  did  long  to  die !  And 
naught  but  misery  ahead  in  life  I  saw. 

"  My  wife,  my  own !"  I  cried,  "  together  let  us 
yearn  to  see  again  our  child.  Together,  with  such 


28 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

strength  of  yearning,  hope  and  faith  that  we  shall 
see  him." 

How  thus  I  spoke  I  do  not  know.  But  as  I 
spoke  my  wife  and  I  arose.  Out  into  the  night 
we  stepped,  and  met  a  glorious  vision.  It  was  an 
angel,  tall  and  fair  land  radiant,  with  sky-blue 
eyes  and  hair  and  wings  of  gold. 

Upon  our  knees  we  fell. 

The  angel  spoke : 

"  Your  child  has  died  to  ye  that  ye  may  better 
live.  His  infant  soul  is  of  your  spirits  blended. 
Thus  in  him  now  ye  have  a  heavenly  place.  But 
this  remember  well,  small  is  his  life.  And  if  ye 
grow  estranged  his  soul  will  die.  So  keep  to 
gether  in  the  desperate  struggle,  being  always 
brave  and  of  perfect  comfort  to  each  other.  Life 
in  your  world  is  but  your  brief  apprenticeship 
ere  soaring  unto  greater  things.  Employ  well 
your  talents,  for  through  your  earthly  workings 
solely  do  ye  make  yourselves  of  sufficient  impor 
tance  to  exist  eternally.  Life  beyond  the  grave 
means  progression.  And  if  together  ye'd  pro 
gress,  united  ye  must  be." 

Lightning  flashed  from  heaven,  the  spirit 
vanished,  and  again  we  were  in  darkness.  But  in 
the  darkness  we  had  seen  the  light.  And  through 
our  sorrow  we  had  seen  eternity. 


torporeaf  (JU^utnent 


THE  flesh  and  blood  held  argument. 
Is  not  this  passing  strange, 
That  joint  parts  of  the  same  body 
Should  each  other  derange  ? 

Quoth  blood,  "  I  course  the  body  through, 
You,  flesh,  remain  stock-still." 
"  The  stanchest  is  the  truest,"  said 
The  flesh.     "  You  do  me  ill." 

Then  up  spake  bones  in  lofty  scorn : 
"  Why  argue  or  dissemble  ? 
'Tis  I  support  you  both,"  said  bones ; 
And  flesh  and  blood  did  tremble. 

Ah,  weak  is  flesh,  and  weak  is  blood, 
And  even  bones  decay  ! 
'Tis  the  unseen,  silent  spirit 
That  ever  wins  for  aye. 


(JJXounfdin  CftmBer 


A  MAN  set  out  to  climb  a  mighty  mountain 
in  a  day.  He  must  race  against  time.  He 
must  concentrate  his  energy  to  a  single  end,  and, 
once  embarked  upon  his  upward  way,  the  greater 
efforts  he  put  forth,  the  faster  he  would  ascend. 
Stopping  by  the  wayside,  ever  and  anon,  for 
refreshment  and  to  indulge  the  pleasures  of  rest 
or  of  idle  loitering,  would  deter  his  progress. 

Like  he  who  would  achieve  eminence  in  the 
limited  period,  his  lifetime,  the  mountain  climber 
should  not  tarry  save  for  the  necessary  refresh 
ment  of  rest,  else,  ere  he  knew  it,  darkness  would 
have  closed  about  him  :  like  the  laggard  in  life's 
climb  whom  death  o'ertakes. 

Hence  onward  and  upward  the  traveller 
climbed.  Sometimes  he  fain  would  stop  to 
while  the  time  or  to  find  interest  by  the  way- 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

side.  For  he  thought  to  himself,  at  such  periods, 
"  Why  should  I  reach  the  top  to-day?"  and  again, 
"  Of  what  benefit  is  it  to  me  if  I  gain  the  summit 
at  all?" 

Here,  in  reply,  a  spirit  voice  advised :  "  Thou 
hast  considered ;  thou  hast  chosen  ;  thou  hast  set 
out  to  accomplish.  Now  neither  turn  back  nor 
loiter.  For,  if  thou  doest  either,  it  were  better 
thou  hadst  not  started  to  ascend." 

Thus  advised,  the  traveller  hastened  onward. 
For  he  felt  that  though  he  might  fail  to  reach 
the  summit  ere  darkness  came,  nevertheless  a 
steady  and  unwavering  tread  would  leave  a 
distinct  footprint  in  the  pathway  of  example. 

And  thus,  by  dint  of  faith  and  perseverance, 
the  traveller  at  last  did  reach  the  summit  of  the 
mountain,  ere  his  sun  had  set.  And  here  he 
needs  should  rest  and  look  about  him,  for  he  now 
had  well  earned  his  rest  and,  having  a  better 
view  than  in  the  lowlands  whence  he  came, 
he  could  put  his  power  of  sight  to  good  ad 
vantage. 


82 


THE  MOUNTAIN  CLIMBER. 

But  alas,  how  few  who  thus  gain  the  summits 
of  their  mountains  do  stop.  They  are  now  weary, 
but  the  fever  of  climbing  is  upon  them. 

The  traveller  saw  a  peak  still  higher  than  that 
upon  which  he  was,  and  extending  up  into  the 
heavens.  Although  his  day  was  far  spent,  he 
again  hurried  upward. 

In  life's  brief  day  is  it  meant  that  we  should 
accomplish  all  things  ?  Ere  the  traveller  attained 
this  greater  height,  the  night  had  fallen. 


(gternttg 


LOOK  up  into  infinite  space  and  be  assured 
of  the  eternity  of  your  soul.  New  stars 
are  discovered  constantly. 

Eternity  means  advancement.  To  fill  infinite 
space  will  take  eternity. 

We  are  God's  servants.  What  does  Christ's 
parable  of  the  talents  teach  ?  To  labor ;  not  to 
idle.  Why  should  we  live  eternally  else  to 
accomplish?  Would  a  spirit  exist  without  an 
object? 

It  is  often  queried,  "  What  is  the  use  of  suc 
ceeding  ?  Of  what  avail  is  getting  ahead  ?  There 
is  nothing  new  to  be  accomplished :  does  not 
history  repeat  itself?" 

Half  of  our  people  exist  in  a  state  of  stagna 
tion  as  much  as  possible.  Many  of  the  poor 
bemoan  their  fates,  but  do  nothing  of  themselves 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

to  better  their  condition.  Many  rich  retire  from 
business  to  live  on  their  incomes,  and  to  dawdle 
their  time. 

The  rich  are  rich  that  they  may  help  their 
needy  fellow-men  to  rise  by  proper  uses  of  their 
talents  and  wealth.  They  are  intended  as  the 
stepping-stones  for  the  less  fortunate  across  the 
river  of  trial  to  the  shore  of  success. 

Rich  and  poor  alike  who  are  idle  cannot  realize 
that  true  enjoyment  is  the  reward  of  the  indus 
trious  only. 

Days  of  inactivity  are  the  unhappy  and  dis 
contented  ones.  We  cannot  successfully  steal 
rest ;  we  must  earn  it.  And  we  must  be  honestly 
and  healthfully  weary  to  enjoy  it. 

The  temporal  system  must  be  based  on  the 
eternal.  To  live  properly  here  we  must  have 
occupation.  In  heaven  it  is  surely  intended  that 
we  have  work  to  do  ! 

But  perfection  is  not  to  be  looked  for  in  this 
world.  Can  its  attainment  ever  be  expected  in 
the  next  ?  Are  not  the  countless,  most  distant 
interests  of  heaven  and  earth  so  closely  related 


ETERNITY  MEANS  ADVANCEMENT. 

that  to  reach  the  verge  of  perfection  in  any  one 
study  is  to  cross  the  border  into  another,  un 
learned  ? 

"NOTHING  NEW  UNDER  THE  SUN"? 

The  master  labors ;  must  not  his  servants 
labor  ? 

If  there  has  ever  been  something  new  to  be 
done — and  always  will  be — can  the  saying  that 
"  there  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun"  hold  good? 
If  so,  then  surely,  we  can  compile  a  catalogue  of 
the  world's  doings  and  sayings  during  a  certain 
given  period  which  will  be  applicable  as  a  refer 
ence  for  all  time. 

Calumny  and  treachery,  disease  and  death  have 
existed  and  will  exist,  but  there  are  ever  new 
forms  in  their  perpetration  and  occurring. 
Choose  one  of  these  calamities  at  random,  for 
illustration  :  disease.  Why  does  a  doctor,  attend 
ing  two  persons  of  the  same  sex,  like  tempera 
ment,  same  age,  and  suffering  from  equally 
acute  attacks  of  disease  known  by  a  single 
name,  cure  one  patient  and  lose  the  other? 
Is  it  not  because  certain  complications  have 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

arisen  to  change  the  unfortunate  patient's  disease 
into  a  new  disease,  unknown  heretofore  to  the 
doctor  ? 

Can  you  find  two  pansies  alike? 

New  metals  and  new  chemicals  are  being  dis 
covered  and  made  constantly  by  combinations 
(heretofore  unexperimented)  of  metals  and 
chemicals  already  known.  And  here — 

IMAGINATION    IS   THE   CREATIVE    POWER. 

While  imagination  exists  there  will  ever  be 
new  creations. 

God  imagines,  and  we  are  his  creations. 

IMAGINATION,  THE  MEANS  TO  COMPREHENSION; 
OR,  IMAGINATION  AS  APPLIED  TO  THE  OBJECT 
OF  ONE'S  INTEREST. 

A  man  has  a  hobby.  He  believes  in  it.  He 
pins  his  faith  to  it.  He  finds  more  interest  incor 
porated  in  the  subject  of  his  liking  than  in  all 
else  in  which  he  is  not  interested. 

Then  his  imagination  forms  the  magnifier 
through  which  he  further  pursues  his  study  of 

40 


ETERNITY  MEANS  ADVANCEMENT. 

this,  his  favorite  object.  And  he  quickly  dis 
covers  that  outside  subjects  are  connected  with 
his  own  so  closely  that,  by  a  thorough  mastery  of 
his  own  subject,  he  learns  a  deal  of  others,  nolens 
volens. 

The  history  of  the  world  may  be  traced  in  the 
life  of  an  insect. 

"  Increase  and  multiply,"  is  the  Almighty's 
command. 

Can  even  an  insect  find  in  death  extinction  of 
life,  since  there  is  unlimited  space  to  be  filled  by 
new  worlds  to  contain  life  ? 

No.  At  least  no,  if  eternity  means  advance 
ment  ;  for  then  no  life  can  be  lost. 


THE  end  of  this  world  will  come  when  enough 
good  souls  have  been  furnished  God's  king 
dom  to  meet  His  purpose  concerning  them. 


We  may  write  our  lives  illegible  to  man  but 
not  to  God. 


'Twere  punishment  less  distressing  to  be  in 
hell,  forgotten  to  heaven,  than  in  God's  waste- 
basket  of  poorly-written  lives. 

If  we  lived  life  here  a  thousand  years,  we  could 
not  master  temporal  problems.  Hence,  how  are 
our  minds  in  their  present  state  of  being  fitted 
to  cope  with  questions  of  eternity  ? 


THE  FLO  WERS  OF  LIFE. 


Endurance  is  the  proof  of  greatness.  God 
lives  eternally.  And  God  watches  over  the  life 
of  an  ant.  He  who  best  attends  to  the  little 
things  of  life  is  foremost  in  the  largest. 


The  only  reliable  implements  for  succeeding 
are  wits  well  sharpened  on  the  grindstone  of 
work. 

The  ignorant  may  conquer,  but  only  the  wise 
can  maintain  mastery. 


The  stumbler  upon  success  is  more  likely  to 
fall  than  he  who  sees  success  before  he  reaches 
it.  For  successes  in  this  world  are  the  summits 
of  the  mountains  of  ambition,  and  prove  dizzy 
ing  heights  for  all  but  the  very  surefooted. 


It  is  the  hard  things  of  life  which  soften 
the  right  nature  while  they  strengthen  the 
character. 

46 


REMARKS. 

An  overdose  of  praise  poisons  rather  than 
nourishes  the  successful. 

An  author  must  work  with  as  fine  care  as  a 
cutter  of  precious  stones,  if  he  would  have  his 
output  possess  the  sparkle  of  a  true  literary  gem. 

Elegant  paper  and  a  tasty  binding  are  as 
necessary  to  the  serving  of  a  good  book  as  a 
clean  and  pretty  dish  is  to  the  serving  of  a  deli 
cate  sweetmeat. 

The  land  of  dreams  is  the  borderland  of 
reality. 

Thought  bounces  at  corners  through  the  mind 
like  the  revolving  ball  on  the  billiard-table. 

Negligence  is  the  root  of  every  evil. 

Comparison  with  no  other  body  of  water  can 
belittle  the  ocean's  vastness ;  but  the  near-sighted 
often  think  the  shallow  pool  profound. 


THE  FLO  WERS  OF  LIFE. 

He  who  for  counsel  depends  upon  others, 
stumbles  blindly  through  life.  Not  a  man's 
friends,  but  his  conscience  should  be  for  him  his 
judge  and  dictator.  To  lead  a  life  of  worth  (and 
to  be  a  leader  of  men),  one  must  be  an  indepen 
dent  thinker. 


In   the   earnestness   of  -youth    there's    little 
faltering. 

Be  wary  of  him  who  is  hard  to  offend. 


Opposites  are  fitted  for  each  other.     In  the 
one  is  what  the  other  lacks.   • 


HOW  literature  influences  the  lives  of  men ! 
The  reading  of  a  great  book  furnishes 
the  mind.  The  eating  of  nutritious  food  fur 
nishes  the  body.  But  the  mind  is  retentive, 
whereas  the  benefit  of  food  can  be  only  ephemeral. 

Many  men  fashion  their  lives  according  to  the 
teachings  gathered  from  a  single  book.  Self- 
made  men,  the  most  successful,  serve  as  a  constant 
illustration  for  this  statement.  It  is  rarely  that 
a  self-made  man  does  not  attribute  his  success  to 
an  early  inspiration  from  some  book.  True, 
many  self-made  men  are  unlettered.  But  then 
it  requires  little  schooling  ere  one  of  wit  can 
understand  the  writings  of  the  great.  Wisest 
sayings  are  couched  in  simplest  language. 

Great  books  make  great  men. 

Good  literature  is  the  rock  whereon  are  the 
buildings  of  truth,  wisdom,  morality  and  heroism. 
So  long  as  the  rock  holds  firm,  humanity's  storms 
of  doubt  will  not  destroy  its  (the  rock's)  buildings. 

51 


rTIHE  world  could  feel,  the  world  could  taste — 
JL  but  the  world  could  not  think,  for  it  could 
not  see,  it  could  not  hear,  it  could  not  speak.  In 
the  daily  press  the  voice  of  the  world  has  been 
found,  and  also  the  sight  of  the  world  and  the 
hearing.  Resultant  is  a  power  of  universal 
thought  in  common :  the  gift  of  gifts  to  the 
human  race.  A  universal  civilization  is  made 
possible. 

The  great  newspaper  is  imbued  with  an 
individuality  more  powerful  than  any  one  person 
can  possess.  It  is  an  authority  upon  many  sub 
jects,  whereas  a  great  man  is  rarely  an  authority 
on  more  than  a  single  subject.  And  even  on 
this  he  cannot  offstand  the  newspaper.  It  will 
win  his  knowledge,  or  he  must  seek  its  columns 
for  the  large  audience  he  would  obtain. 

As  for  institutions,  no  other  institution  is  so 
far-reaching,  so  penetrating,  so  influential.  The 

55 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

great  "daily"  is  at  once  an  authority  of  the 
community  in  which  it  is  published,  a  mouth 
piece  of  the  wise,  and  a  chronicler  of  the  world's 
history. 

The  reporters  of  a  city  are  its  discoverers.  In 
bringing  crime  to  light,  detectives  find  it  hard  to 
compete  with  the  news-gatherers ;  and  in  recog 
nizing  merit  in  worthy  citizens  of  a  community, 
the  papers  are  invariably  foremost. 

A  progressive,  modem  city  is  coming  to  be 
known  by  its  leading  papers,  rather  than  by  its 
prominent  people.  It  is  the  press  of  a  city  that 
gives  to  it  its  individuality. 

The  power  of  a  progressive  nation  is  now 
reflected  in  its  press.  The  more  influential 
countries  are  those  of  the  greater  newspapers. 

The  press  of  a  progressive  nation  may  be 
likened  to  the  stem  of  a  tree,  the  people  to  the 
roots,  and  the  government  to  the  branches  which 
the  roots  would  have  upheld.  The  stem  is  the 
means  of  conveying  that  nourishment  from  the 
roots  to  the  branches  which  causes  them  (the 
branches)  to  grow  ever  stronger  and  more  spread 
ing.  The  doing  away  with  the  press  of  the 
progressive  nation  would  affect  that  nation  as 
the  severing  of  its  stem  would  affect  the  grow 
ing  tree.  Reasons  might  be  summed  : — 

56 


THE  NEWSPAPER. 

The  stimulant  of  advancement  is  competition. 
The  requirements  of  a  competitive  people,  though 
unlimited,  are  met  in  their  press,  the  scope  of 
which  is  unlimited. 

Mr.  Harry  Furniss,  the  distinguished  English 
artist  and  caricaturist,  said  recently,  on  returning 
from  the  United  States  to  his  native  land,  "  The 
key-note  of  America  is  competition  ;  for  instance, 
when  I  had  arranged  to  join  the  New  York 
Herald,  I  received  a  cablegram  from  another 
journal,  '  We  double  the  offer.'  They  did  not  in 
the  least  know  what  my  terms  were ;  but  it  was 
competition,  and  they  were  ready  to  fight." 

The  press  is  the  only  medium  in  which  the  ever- 
increasing  demands  of  the  public  are  satisfied. 
It  is  at  once,  then,  the  people's  most  popular  and 
most  powerful  institution.  They  find  in  it  all 
that  is  encouraging.  It  upholds  them  and  their 
standards,  and  in  doing  this  it  upholds  their 
government.  And  it  keeps  them  and  their  gov 
ernment  thoroughly  informed  as  to  each  other. 
The  government  addresses  its  people  through  the 
newspaper  column,  and  thus  it  makes  known  its 
demands  and  necessities.  In  turn,  it  looks  to  the 
press  for  information  of  its  people. 

The  newspaper  is  read  by  every  class  and 
condition,  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest.  Hence 

57 


THE  FLO  WERS  OF  LIFE. 

a  needy  case  in  any  walk  of  life,  when  brought 
to  notice  through  publication,  finds  sympathizers 
and  helpers.  The  great  newspaper  has  its 
columns  ever  open  to  the  free  use  of  the  suffer 
ing  and  oppressed. 

The  journalist  may  arouse  public  indignation 
or  enthusiasm  as  required,  and  the  newspaper 
readers  are  an  all-powerful  society  in  common, 
ever  ready  to  right  wrong  or  to  commend.  Thus, 
in  the  truly  great  newspaper,  neither  the  mighty 
nor  the  lowly  are  spared  their  deserts,  be  they 
blame  or  praise.  So  that  neither  evil  nor  good 
can  escape  publicity. 

Books  are  a  luxury  that  cannot  always  be 
enjoyed,  but  the  modest  price  of  a  newspaper 
places  it  within  reach  of  even  the  very  poor. 
The  newspaper  critics  have  made  a  garden  in  the 
barren  plain  of  necessity.  They  cultivate  the 
finer  plants  of  art,  science,  music  and  literature, 
and  remove  the  weeds  of  ignorance  detrimental 
to  their  growth.  In  the  prominent  newspaper 
is  found  the  best  of  literature.  Leading  authors, 
appreciating  a  wide  circulation,  now  like  their 
works  to  appear  in  the  press  prior  to  publication 
in  book  form. 

As  the  promoter  of  business  and  enterprise 
the  newspaper  stands  alone.  As  an  advertising 

58 


THE  NEWSPAPER. 

medium  it  is  unrivalled.  The  smallest  schemes 
have  developed  into  the  largest  through  proper 
newspaper  noticings  and  mentioriings.  And  the 
successes  of  many  great  business  establishments 
are  reached  chiefly  through  the  judiciousness  of 
their  newspaper  advertising. 

The  gatherer  of  thought,  the  journalist,  should 
be  well  adapted  for  political  life :  he  has  oppor 
tunity  to  study  disinterestedly  the  wants  of  his 
people  before  taking  high  political  position. 
Journalism  teaches  loftier  principles  than  ward- 
heeling.  There  are  to-day  some  thirty-three 
newspaper  men  in  our  House  of  Representatives, 
and  the  British  House  of  Commons  contains  about 
twenty-eight  prominent  journalists. 

Mr.  Furniss  says,  "America  recognized  that 
daily  illustrated  papers  were  to  be  part  of  the 
national  life  of  the  future,  and  it  got  the  machin 
ery  ready.  The  daily  paper  rules  in  America, 
and  it  will  rule  in  England." 


THE  mind  is  the  soul's  machine.  It  is  the 
mind  through  which  the  soul  expresses 
itself  and  improves  or  deteriorates  itself;  the 
soul  is  the  motive  power,  the  mind  the  motor, 
and  the  body,  the  servant  and  physical  supplier 
of  the  mind. 

Knowledge  is  that  which  is  gathered  from  the 
mind's  working  process,  thought :  it  goes  to  build 
up  the  soul  (knowledge,  be  it  understood,  here 
signifying  the  result  of  experienced  living). 

The  mind  gathers  or  photographs  knowledge- 
pictures  on  its  sensitive  film,  and  presents  these 
pictures  to  the  soul ;  so  the  soul  receives  impres 
sions  and  fashions  itself  accordingly. 

As  all  things  physical  may  be  likened  to  one 
another,  and  as  both  mind  and  body  are  alike  in 
that  they  are  servants  of  the  soul  let  us  compare 
them. 

63 


.THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

There  are  different  kinds  of  minds  and  there 
are  different  kinds  of  bodies,  but  all  are  machines. 

Of  course  there  are,  and  must  be,  many  different 
kinds  of  machines  in  this  go-ahead  world  ;  but 
the  question  arises,  which  are  the  most  desirable 
and  most  successful  ? 

Choose,  for  instance,  between  the  machines  of 
the  professor  and  of  the  practical  man,  of  the 
student  and  of  the  originator. 

The  question  is  sometimes  asked,  "  Has  the 
mind  a  limit  ?" 

The  answer  to  this  must  be  simple,  for  all 
things  physical  have  a  limit,  and  the  mind  is 
physical. 

Here  we  might  observe,  "  there  then  must  be 
such  a  thing  as  '  too  much  learning.' '  And  may 
it  not  be  even  thus  ? 

Indeed  it  is  thus :  at  least  to  the  practical, 
advancing,  originating  mind.  For  in  such  a 
mind,  where  learning  is  of  great  assistance, 
too  much  learning,  like  water  thrown  on  a  fire, 
or  like  oil  flooding  a  machine,  stops  the 
progress. 

The  mind  of  an  originator,  an  author,  an  in 
ventor,  or  of  any  progressive  man  might  be  com- 


THE  MIND. 

pared  to  a  slate.  When  it  has  been  filled  it  must 
be  emptied  ere  it  can  have  other  contents. 

And,  in  the  case  of  the  mind,  its  contents,  while 
fresh,  should  be  put  forth  into  a  new  idea,  a  new 
book,  a  new  invention  or  a  new  composition. 

It  (this  creative  mind)  is  then  ready  to  contain 
other  knowledge  which  must  never  be  so  crowded 
as  to  prevent  or  restrict  the  working  of  thought, 
that  process  whereby  old  knowledge  is  revolved 
into  new.  Here,  again,  the  creative  mind  might 
be  likened  to  a  churn  into  which  is  poured  a 
fluid  for  the  producing  of  a  solid.  If  the  churn 
is  filled  to  overflowing  it  will  not  work  properly. 

Once  more,  by  way  of  example,  we  may  liken 
the  mind  to  the  body.  When  it  (the  mind)  is 
overstacked  with  knowledge  it  seems  to  become 
like  the  over-muscled  body  of  the  strong  man : 
lumbering,  awkward  and  unfit  for  quick  ac 
tion.  Contrast  the  all-round  athlete  with  the 

* 

so-called  "  strong  man."  Take  for  example  the 
boxer  and  the  weight-lifter;  the  boxer  is  not 
overburdened  with  heavy,  cumbersome  muscles, 
though  he  is  strong  and  agile. 

The  weight-lifter  is  possessed  of  abnormal 
development  which  necessitates  slow  and  re- 


65 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

strained  movements  of  the  limbs,  as  over-devel 
oped  muscles  tend  to  bind  the  human  body  like 
tight  cords — thus  rendering  agility,  litheness  of 
limb  and  suppleness  out  of  the  question. 

Each  of  these  men  has  good  and  bad  points 
in  his  make-up ;  but  pit  the  two  against  one 
another  and  which  would  win  in  an  encounter  ? 
The  boxer,  nearly  always. 

A  law-school  graduate  often  does  not  know  as 
much  as  his  professor  when  he  leaves  college, 
though  he  may  soon  distance  him  in  life's  race. 

His  mind  is  not  so  full  that  he  has  no  room 
left  in  it  for  original  thought  and  energy. 

Verily,  while  book-learning  is  desirable,  the 
school  of  experience  is  a  most  excellent  teacher. 


(Jttofttt 


rTlHERE  are  two  ways,  at  least,  in  which  every 
-•-  idea  may  be  expressed.  Probably  to  no  form 
of  expression  does  this  saying  apply  so  forcibly 
as  to  the  explaining  of  motive.  Three-fourths 
of  literature  and  two-thirds  of  conversation  con 
tain  theory  or  motive.  All  that  is  written  or 
spoken  must  be  prompted  by  theory,  motive  or 
contemplation,  else  it  is  utterly  useless  and  worth 
less  to  the  reader  or  auditor. 

Without  the  power  of  reason,  little  save  vege 
table  life  could  exist. s  The  power  of  reason  is 
the  self-preserving  characteristic  in  everything 
possessing  animal  life.  In  its  primary  form, 
among  the  lower  orders  of  animals,  it  is  known 
as  instinct ;  and  in  its  high  form,  among  human 
kind,  as  intellect.  Animals  evince  their  posses- 


80 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

sion  of  instinct  by  action,  while  human  beings 
may  show  their  powers  of  intellect  by  words  (as 
well  as  by  behavior) . 

All  verbal  or  written  expression  must  contain 
reason  or  motive  to  be  of  value.  An  author  is 
prompted  by  motive  when  he  takes  up  his  pen ; 
—every  book  written  should  set  forth  some 
elevating,  instructive  theory. 

There  are  two  styles  of  literature,  viz. :  moral 
and  immoral ;  but  the  writers  of  the  moral 
eclipse  the  writers  of  the  immoral  literature. 

There  are  at  least  two  ways  in  which  the  same 
idea  may  be  expressed ;  and  thus  it  is  with  the 
writers  of  moral  literature.  Some  make  their 
motives  clear  by  narrative,  wherein  they  lead  their 
readers  to  obtain  the  best  points  of  view  unex 
pectedly,  "  by  winding  paths."  Others  address 
their  readers  directly,  in  discussions  of  the  motive 
theories  themselves.  The  former  is  the  more 
general  and  popular  style  of  literature,  but  it  is 
a  question  whether  the  latter  is  not  the  more 
instructive  and  more  practical. 

Again,  the  practical  argument  has  much  more 


MOTIVE. 

weight  with  the  average  person  than  the  religious. 
The  way  to  reach  the  masses  is  through  practical 
reasoning ;  when  the  writer  has  his  readers 
thoroughly  interested  in  his  subject  and  has 
established  a  bond  of  sympathy  between  him 
self  and  them,  then,  and  not  till  then,  may  he 
successfully  introduce  religious  sentiment  into 
his  treatise. 

Motive  is  the  motor,  and  in  another  sense  the 
key,  to  action. 


Opinion 


OPINION  is  the  result  of  thought,  and  by 
opinion  breadth  and  depth  of  mind  are 
made  known. 

All  minds  run  in  grooves ;  narrow  minds  run 
in  narrow  grooves,  and  broad  minds  run  in  broad 
grooves. 

A  versatile  mind  is  a  broad  mind :  a  mind 
which  is  sympathetic  and  which  can  adjust  itself 
to  the  understanding  of  any  other  mind  with 
which  it  may  have  to  deal. 

Be  it  understood,  however,  that  it  is  not  a 
changeable  mind  here  meant,  as  such  is  again 
another  type.  No,  a  broad  mind  is  more  what 
might  well  be  termed  a  graceful  mind,  which 
strongly  holds  to  its  own  good  opinions,  unless  it 
finds  better.  In  which  latter  case,  even  though 
it  make  the  discovery,  as  it  does  not  infrequently, 
in  an  inferior  mind — the  latter  being  a  specialist 
on  some  subject  into  which  the  broader  mind  has 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

not  had  time  to  look — it  may  accept  opinions 
of  the  inferior,  and  show  its  broadness  in  so  doing. 

A  stubborn  mind  is  a  narrow  mind,  in  that  it 
will  not  listen  to  other  opinions,  but  is  always 
roused  to  anger  when  in  debate  or  argument. 

Righteous  wrath  is  excellent.  Narrow-minded 
wrath  (the  expression  of  envious  hatred)  is  not 
only  foolish  but  harmful,  and  full  of  evil,  breed 
ing  wickedness ;  it  should  be  crushed  out  and 
gotten  rid  of,  for  it  spreads  like  contagious  disease 
among  neighboring  narrow  minds,  and,  if  allowed 
to  spread,  creates  a  false  state  of  affairs ;  this  then 
can  only  be  stopped  with  an  outburst  of  indigna 
tion  by  all  broad  minds  and  true  consciences 
united. 

And  here  again  opinion  decides  the  turn,  for 
the  broad  and  deep  minds  send  forth  a  flood  of 
opinion  that  sweeps  away  the  bravado  and  bitter 
opinion  of  the  shallow  minds. 

"  By  their  works  ye  shall  know  them,"  is 
Christ's  teaching.  Is  not  a  man's  opinion  the 
key-note  to  his  mind  ? 


&ifc  of  dn 


JFTYWAS   the   dawn   of  a   summer   morning. 

J_  The  moon,  loosening  the  cable  of  silvery 
light  which  moored  her  to  earth  during  night's 
brief  season,  was  drifting  into  the  obscurity  of  the 
heavens  before  the  search-light  of  the  rising  sun. 

From  the  eastern  hemisphere,  that  seemed  as 
a  great  sea  of  flame,  came  ripples  of  light  earth 
wards  through  the  heavy,  hazy  atmosphere ; 
twilight  turned  swiftly  to  daylight. 

Near  the  centre  of  a  large,  dismal  swamp 
stood  a  cluster  of  stunted  willows.  Weeping  in 
deed  they  seemed,  for  the  gloominess  of  their 
situation  was  sufficient  cause  for  such  emotion. 
A  solitary  crow,  perched  among  the  topmost 
branches  of  one  of  the  trees,  intruded  an  occa 
sional  croak  upon  the  death- stillness  of  the  marsh. 
A  poisonous  snake,  gliding  beneath  the  tree  in 
which  the  mournful  bird  was  ensconsed,  lifted  its 

NOTE. — Ephemeron,  derived  from  the  Greek  £#>?ft£por,  is  a  species  of 
butterfly  which  lives  but  one  day. 

79 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

head,  cast  a  glassy  stare  upwards,  and  then  disap 
peared  in  some  rushes  which  grew  close  by. 

Upon  the  tree  hung  a  number  of  chrysalides, 
and  from  them  white-winged  butterflies  began  to 
flutter  forth. 

The  crow,  thereupon,  spread  his  wings  and 
hopped  from  the  branch  upon  which  he  had  so 
long  been  perched.  Flitting  about  the  tree,  he 
caught  many  of  the  tiny  ephemera  as  quickly  as 
they  flew  from  their  birthplaces.  Few  escaped 
the  lightning  beak  of  the  cruel  bird.  Those 
that  did,  made  their  way  through  the  air  to  a 
neighboring  tree  and  there  rested  a  long  time. 
They  were  bewildered  and  dazed. 

The  sun  rose  ever  higher  in  the  cloudless 
heavens,  and  the  tiny  butterflies  at  length  took 
not  heart,  but  wings,  and  flew  away  in  a  cluster 
altogether. 

The  sun's  rays  drew  a  damp  vapor  from  the 
swamp,  and  the  tiny  travellers  found  it  difficult 
to  make  headway.  Many  rests  were  taken,  for 
their  wings  became  heavy  with  the  moisture  in 
the  air. 

Still  they  instinctively  struggled  forward  in 
the  direction  of  the  mainland.  They  seemed 
set  upon  the  idea  that  once  there,  they  should 
be  happy  and  free  from  all  danger. 


THE  LIFE  OF  AN  EPHEMERON. 

They  still  remained  together,  for  "  misery 
loves  company,"  and,  like  all  things  in  nature, 
the  butterflies  had  no  desire  to  be  alone  until 
they  were  well  situated. 

Suddenly,  as  they  were  flitting  over  some  tall, 
wavy  grass,  something  arose  and  flew  toward 
them.  They  remembered  the  black- winged 
monster  that  had  devoured  so  many  of  their 
companions,  and  they  flapped  the  air  convul 
sively  in  their  fright. 

Just  before  the  plover  (for  such  it  was)  had 
reached  them,  an  explosion  was  heard,  and  the 
butterflies'  pursuer  fell  to  the  ground. 

The  little  group  hurried  onward  in  silent 
wonderment,  and  a  few  minutes  later  passed  an 
immense  giant,  holding  a  smoking  stick,  in  his 
hand.  Just  then  a  bee  joined  the  butterflies; 
he  told  them  the  shortest  way  out  of  the  marsh, 
and,  moreover,  said  that  what  they  had  just 
passed  was  a  man,  their  preserver,  who  had  slain 
the  bird  with  a  gun  which  he  carried.  The  bee 
had  scarcely  finished  speaking  when  a  swarm  of 
mosquitoes  came  by ;  some  were  puffed  out  and 
reeling  through  the  air,  while  others  buzzed  dis 
contentedly.  The  bee  said  they  were  pursuing 
the  man. 

81 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

"Their  sole  pleasure  in  life  consists  in  bleed 
ing  people  and  becoming  intoxicated  therefrom," 
continued  the  bee.  "  They  have  no  occupation, 
and  consequently  spend  their  existence  in  dis 
sipation  ;  they  get  no  real  enjoyment  out  of  life, 
as  they  do  not  appreciate  or  understand  it. 
They  die  young,  and  the  world  is  glad  to  get  rid 
of  them." 

The  butterflies'  eyes  were  being  opened. 

From  the  tall  grass  arose  a  large  creature  with 
magnificent  wings ;  it  sailed  grandly  along,  a 
little  in  advance  of  the  butterflies.  Many  of 
the  latter  were  lost  in  admiration,  for  it  appeared 
evident  that  the  one  in  advance  was  of  their 
own  species.  A  few  of  the  butterflies  stayed  in 
dependently  behind,  while  the  majority  hastened 
forward  and  joined  the  newcomer.  The  latter 
accosted  the  little  innocents  pleasantly,  and  con 
versed  so  glibly  and  entertainingly  that  they 
became  spellbound  with  delight. 

They  had  not  seen  sufficient  of  the  world  as 
yet  to  be  able  to  distinguish  a  moth-miller  from 
a  butterfly ;  it  was  not  long  before  the  creature 
with  the  beautiful  wings  had  quite  gotten  the 
tiny  flutterflies  into  his  power.  Away  he  flew, 
back  to  the  recesses  of  the  swamp,  and  they 


B 


THE  LIFE  OF  AN  EPHEMERON. 

innocently  followed  him.  Only  one  succeeded 
in  separating  himself  from  the  misguided  group. 
He  had  a  long  and  painful  journey  before 
he  caught  up  with  his  wiser  companions ;  for 
they  had  flown  straight  ahead,  and  were  now  far 
in  advance. 

When  he  finally  reached  them  they  were  rest 
ing  on  a  tree  at  the  edge  of  the  great  swamp. 
They  seemed  to  have  entirely  forgotten  their 
companions  who  were  led  astray,  for,  when  the 
belated  butterfly  fluttered  up  and  lit  on  a  twig 
close  by,  they  were  chatting  gayly  and  looking 
out  into  the  bright  world  which  lay  before  them. 
They  were  glad  to  see  their  old  companion,  how 
ever,  and  greeted  him  cordially.  He  told  them 
how  their  comrades  had  been  taken  back  to  the 
vile  marshes  by  the  superb-looking  creature 
which  they  had  mistaken  for  a  butterfly  ;  he  had 
discovered  it  to  be  a  pretender.  He  said  the 
creature's  wings  had  been  only  gilded,  and  the 
beautiful  tints  were  wearing  off,  even  before  he 
had  taken  his  departure.  When  the  butterfly 
had  concluded  narrating  his  experience,  it  was 
unanimously  agreed  that  it  was  not  wise  to  put 
faith  in  new  friends  until  their  wings  had  been 
thoroughly  tested. 
The  butterflies  remained  on  the  inner  edge  of  the 

83 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

swamp  for  a  long  time.  There  seemed  to  be  a  cer 
tain  morbid  fascination  for  them  in  looking  back 
into  the  dismal  marshes  and  reviewing  the  past. 

At  last,  the  experienced  butterfly  (for  we  shall 
call  him  this  hereafter,  in  order  to  distinguish 
him  from  the  others)  aroused  his  companions. 

"  Come,  let  us  fly  forth  into  the  bright  sun 
shine  of  life,"  he  said. 

The  others  arose  therewith,  and  they  all  flew 
from  the  swamp  in  a  solid  cluster. 

They  intended  always  to  keep  together,  but 
they  soon  found  that  this  was  impossible. 

They  had  gone  but  a  little  distance  before  one 
of  their  number  fluttered  blindly  into  a  spider's 
web,  and  became  so  entangled  therein  that  the 
rest  were  obliged  to  leave  him  to  his  fate  and  fly 
onwards. 

Shortly  afterwards,  while  passing  a  large  bon 
fire  which  burned  on  the  outskirts  of  a  forest, 
another  butterfly,  becoming  fascinated  by  the 
fire's  brilliance,  ventured  too  near,  and  was 
licked  in  by  the  flame. 

The  rest  still  pushed  ahead,  and  entered  the 
wooded  expanse  by  a  straight  and  narrow  road 
leading  through  to  open  fields  beyond.  Many 
alluring  paths  diverged  to  the  right  and  to 
the  left,  however,  and  the  butterflies  soon  began 
to  take  to  these  in  preference  to  the  straight, 
uninteresting  road.  All  that  took  them  wan- 
si 


THE  LIFE  OF  AN  EPHEMERON. 

dered  for  awhile  and  became  lost  eventually  in 
the  depths  of  the  forest. 

At  length,  when  the  end  of  the  narrow  road 
had  been  reached,  the  experienced  butterfly  was 
the  last  of  all  the  companions  that  remained. 
When  he  flew  out  into  the  fields  beyond  the 
wood,  he  was  the  only  one  that,  born  in  low  sur 
roundings  and  wishing  to  soar  above  them,  had 
finally  attained  his  object. 

And  now  the  sun  had  reached  its  meridian, 
and  the  ephemeron's  life  was  half  spent.  The 
tiny  traveller  was  unconscious  of  this  fact,  never 
theless,  for  nothing  in  nature  knows  the  time 
when  it  will  cease  to  exist. 

There  was  a  large  daisy  field  near  by ;  the 
butterfly  flitted  in  to  sip  the  fragrance  from  the 
flowers.  As  he  alighted  upon  a  poppy  he  heard 
the  sound  of  voices  close  by  ;  he  crawled  to  the 
edge  of  the  flower,  and  looking  over  discovered 
two  ants  on  the  stem  of  the  plant,  directly  be 
low  him. 

Seated  together  in  the  shade  cast  by  the 
flower,  they  were  holding  a  spirited  discussion  ; 
the  subject  of  argument  was  whether  the  spider 
or  the  bee  possessed  the  more  industrious  and 
enterprising  disposition. 

The  ephemeron  played  eavesdropper,  and  this 
is  what  he  overheard  : 

First  ant: — "The  spider  has  no  enterprise!" 

85 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

Second  ant: — "How  so,  dear  aunt?" 

First  ant: — "The  spider  labors  with  but  one  ob 
ject  in  view,  that  of  securing  his  own  personal  com 
fort.  When  he  has  built  a  domain  for  himself,  he 
retires  from  active  life  and  is  content  for  the  rest 
of  his  existence  to  live  in  idleness  and  seclusion." 

Second  ant: — "For  that  matter,  then,  the 
bee  has  no  enterprise." 

First  ant: — "  Here,  again,  you  are  mistaken, 
aunt."  (Among  the  ants  there  is  but  one  rela 
tionship.)  "  The  bee  labors  also,  but  not  only 
for  the  betterment  of  her  own  condition,  but  for 
the  betterment  of  the  condition  of  the  entire 
community  in  which  she  lives  as  well.  When 
she  has  filled  her  treasuries  with  honey,  does 
she  stop?  No,  she  builds  other  hives  or  treasu 
ries,  and  proceeds  to  fill  those  likewise.  She 
asserts  her  rights  when  it  is  necessary,  and  she 
takes  the  aggressive  very  quickly,  too,  when 
there  is  cause  to  do  so." 

A  queen  bee  that  had  been  sitting  close  by, 
unobserved  by  the  ants,  had  listened  to  the  en 
tire  conversation. 

Having  heard  the  many  flattering  compliments 
paid  her,  she  arose  majestically  and  flew  off,  feel 
ing  puffed  up  and  proud  beyond  expression.  It 
seemed  to  her  that  there  was  no  one  like  herself. 
She  felt  that  she  was  unapproachable,  and  that 
all  the  eyes  of  the  world  were  centered  upon  her. 

86 


THE  LIFE  OF  AN  EPHEMERON. 

She  was  hovering  over  an  ants'  nest  when  a 
discontented  darning-needle  flew  along. 

He  was  "darning"  everybody  and  every 
thing,  and  he  "darned"  the  queen  bee  as  he 
passed  her. 

This  was  more  than  the  latter's  pride  could 
endure,  and  she  called  after  the  needle  to  return 
at  his  peril.  He  no  sooner  heard  the  challenge 
than  he  wheeled  about.  A  terrific  combat  was 
the  result. 

At  last  the  grumbling  darning-needle  and  the 
proud  bee  came  tumbling  to  the  ground  together. 

They  fell,  wounded  and  faint,  upon  the  ants' 
nest.  The  many  inhabitants  came  pouring  forth 
and  fell  upon  the  unfortunate  combatants.  The 
ant  upon  the  stem  of  the  poppy,  that  had  but  a 
short  time  before  been  so  loud  in  the  praises  of 
the  bee,  turned  to  her  companion  with  the  re 
mark  :  "  Even  the  mighty  sometimes  fall." 

"  Everything  comes  to  him  who  waits,"  re 
plied  the  second  ant,  referring  to  her  spider 
theory. 

The  two  then  descended  to  the  ground  and 
joined  their  companions  in  picking  the  fallen 
bee  and  darning-needle  to  pieces. 

The  shadows  had  begun  to  lengthen  when  the 
ephemeron  flew  out  from  the  daisy  field.  Find 
ing  a  pretty  country  road,  he  flitted  along  and 
saw  many  novel  and  interesting  sights ;  there  is 

87 


THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE. 

always  something  new  to  be  seen  in  life.  The 
sun  sank  below  the  western  hills,  and  the  butter 
fly  flew  on  through  the  increasing  darkness. 

At  last  he  could  go  no  further,  so,  fluttering 
to  the  ground,  he  sought  a  sheltered  spot  beneath 
some  withered  leaves ;  from  thence  he  looked  out 
into  the  blackness  of  the  night.  He  was  happy, 
very  happy ;  he  thought  of  the  pleasant  life  he  had 
had  by  keeping  to  the  right  roads.  He  looked 
back  upon  the  past  with  contentment  and  satis 
faction. 

The  drunken  bats  began  to  fly  about,  and  the 
discontented  owls  hooted  forth  their  complaints 
from  a  neighboring  wood. 

The  cheerful  crickets,  on  the  other  hand,  chir 
ruped  forth  in  immense  choruses,  and  the  tiny 
ephemeron  moralized  that  "  the  world  was  not 
so  wicked,  after  all." 

And  now  the  butterfly's  life  was  spent.  He 
fell  back  and  gazed  upward  at  the  stars;  they 
appeared  to  be  coming  towards  him,  and  to  be 
twinkling  all  about  him.  (They  were  merely 
the  fireflies  which  he  saw.) 

Suddenly  the  twinkling  seemed  to  him  to 
cease,  and  to  appear  as  a  great  mass  of  flame. 

Then  all  was  dark  :  the  tiny  butterfly  lay 
dead  among  the  withered  leaves. 


" 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  MADEIRA  ISLANDS, 

BY 

A.  J.  DREXEL  BIDDLE, 

Fellow  of  the  American  Geographical  Society. 

Containing  twenty-seven  full-page  illustrations,  a 
map  of  Funchal,  a  map  of  the  Island  of  Madeira, 
showing  districts  devoted  to  vine  culture,  and  a 
chapter  of  useful  information  for  the  traveler  and 
visitor.  12mo.,  cloth,  pp.  115.  Price,  $2.00. 


What  Leading  Critics  Say  of  this  Work  : 

From  the  American  Press. 

"A  very  interesting  book  entitled  'The  Madeira  Islands'  has  been 
written  by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle.  ...  As  for  the  text,  suffice  it 
to  say  that  the  author  tells  all  that  is  worth  knowing  about  the  islands. 
He  has  evidently  studied  them  and  their  history  thoroughly,  going  back 
to  the  time  when  they  were  discovered  and  settled,  and  telling  us  how 
they  have  fared  from  that  time  until  now.  Of  life  in  the  islands  at  pres 
ent  he  draws  a  graphic  and  interesting  picture,  and  altogether  his  book 
can  be  recommended,  not  only  to  historical  students  and  to  those  who 
may  intend  to  visit  the  Madeiras,  but  also  to  those  who,  though  unable 
for  various  reasons  to  spend  much  time  in  traveling,  are  yet  always  eager 
to  obtain  new  information  about  foreign  and  little-known  countries."— 
The  New  fork  Herald. 

"  Mr  Biddle  has  the  quick,  observant  eye  of  one  who  travels  for  the 
love  of  seeing  strange  sights.  He  has,  moreover,  a  keen  sense  of  humor, 
and  the  power  to  seize  upon  what  is  odd  and  picturesque." — Brooklyn 
Eagle. 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

89 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

"...  Mr.  Biddle's  book  begets  a  desire  to  visit  the  islands  and  see 
with  one's  own  eyes  what  he  has  so  graphically  described ;  but  whether 
the  reader  can  go  or  not,  he  will  be  richly  repaid  for  the  reading  of  one 
of  the  choicest  books  of  the  year." — The,  North  American. 

"  'The  Madeira  Islands  '  is  in  great  demand."— Ev'ry  Month. 

"  Mr.  Biddle  in  this  his  latest  contribution  to  literature  has  found  the 
fortunate  middle  ground  between  a  mere  guide-book  and  an  elaborate 
and  technical  record  of  the  resources,  population  and  general  statistics 
of  these  beautiful  islands.  He  writes  vividly  and  with  much  keen  ob 
servation  of  the  climate  and  scenery,  with  picturesque  descriptions  of 
the  fStes,  customs  and  manners  of  the  native  Madeirans.  .  .  ." — Tlie 
Public  Ledyer,  Philadelphia. 

"  Books  on  these  islands  are  rare,  and  none  has  shown  such  careful 
research  and  clever  observation,  combined  with  the  short  story-teller's 
instinct  to  ferret  out  a  romance."— 17te  Critic. 

"It  has  been  left  to  Mr.  Biddle  to  be  the  historian  of  what  under  the 
magic  of  his  pen  are  veritable  '  summer  isles  of  Eden.'  And  the  spell  of 
romance  that  the  ill-fated  history  of  Robert  4  Machin  and  his  luckless 
love  Anna  d'Arfet  casts  over  the  beautiful  '  Ilha  da  Madeira'  seems  to 
linger  to  this  day." — Seattle  Post- Intelligencer. 

"...  This  account  is  anything  but  dry  and  perfunctory.  It  be 
gins  with  a  love  story  lived  so  long  ago  that  It  has  become  history." — 
New  fork  Recorder. 

"  Entitled  to  be  classed  among  the  successful  books  of  the  current 
year." — Book  News. 

"  '  The  Madeira  Islands '  is  the  name  of  a  new  book  by  Anthony  J. 
Drexel  Biddle.  .  .  .  The  work  is  handsomely  illustrated,  and  the 
reading  matter  will  interest  seafaring  people  as  well  as  civilians."— 

Aim  ric  in   H/i  i/il'it  ihlrr. 

"  Contains  much  valuable  information."— New  York  Press. 
"  Mr.  Biddle  has  found  in  the  Madeira  Islands  a  fresh  field  in  which  to 
exercise  his  descriptive  powers.    .    .    ."— Revietc  of  Reviews. 

"...  Whether  it  is  the  blueness  of  the  sea  that  he  dwells  upon, 
the  mildness  of  the  climate,  the  luxuriant  growth  of  fruit  and  flower, 
the  quaint  customs  of  the  Madeirans,  or  a  gorgeous  ceremony  witnessed 
from  the  balcony  of  the  Cathedral,  his  style  is  always  fresh,  vivid  and 
instinct  with  the  deep  enjoyment  of  life.  .  .  .  There  is  so  much  in  it, 
however,  that  is  good,  that  it  is  difficult  to  make  a  choice."— The  Even 
ing  Item,  Philadelphia. 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

90 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

"  It  is  one  of  those  delightful  volumes  of  descriptive  writing  that  soon 
find  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  people." — Sioux  City  Journal, 

"...  The  Islands  have  never  been  written  up  in  attractive  man 
ner,  and  it  was  a  very  bright  idea  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Biddle  to  take  the 
work,  which  he  has  done  uncommonly  well.  It  is  beautifully  illustrated, 
and  gives  the  facts  of  their  history  in  a  bright  and  very  entertaining 
way,  combining  the  dry  with  romance  in  such  a  manner  as  to  hold  the 
reader  to  the  end.  The  life. in  the  present  is  delightfully  pictured,  and 
the  beautiful  illustrations  contribute  to  the  charm.  It  is  uncommonly 
well  done,  and  the  author,  who  has  already  won  laurels  as  a  writer  of 
short  stories,  has  rendered  a  valuable  service  to  history."— The  Morn 
ing  Telegraph,  New  London,  Conn. 

"The  pages  are  embellished  with  amusing  anecdotes," — JfaMmore 
World. 

"  There  is  not  an  uninteresting  page." — The  Helena  Independent. 

"The  reading  world  will  welcome  this  latest  book  of  Anthony  J. 
Drexel  Biddle,  because  it  has  learned  that  in  whatever  he  puts  forth 
there  is  strength  of  thought,  the  result  of  labor  and  research,  clothed  in 
a  lingual  dress  which  adds  to  its  attractiveness.  This  new  book  will  in 
crease  his  reputation  as  a  ready  and  skillful  writer,  and  as  a  man  of  great 
observation  as  well  as  reflective  capacity.  The  author  presents,  in  a  series 
of  eight  chapters,  all  the  facts  of  note  concerning  the  island  group,  their 
characteristics,  their  products  and  commerce,  and  their  population  and 
history,  and  many  of  these  are  graphically  illustrated  with  engravings, 
distributed  through  the  book,  which,  once  for  all,  can  be  recommended 
to  the  student  of  history,  to  the  lover  of  good  literature,  and  to  the  trav 
eler  who  desires  to  fortify  himself  with  information  concerning  a  strange 
land  he  proposes  to  visit." — The  Brooklyn  Citizen. 

"...  Nearly  ready,  a  new  edition  of  the  recent  work, '  The  Ma 
deira  Islands,'  by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle.  The  author  has  made  an 
exhaustive  study  of  the  Madeiras." — The  Neiv  fork  Times. 

From  the  British  Press. 

"  One  hears  a  good  deal  of  Madeira  wine — not  so  much,  perhaps,  as 
we  used  to  do— and  not  a  little  of  casual  calls  by  pilgrims  in  quest  of 
health  ;  but  how  little  do  we  know  of  the  Island  itself!  It  has  been  left 
for  an  American  to  give  us  the  first  illustrated  book  on  'The  Madeira 
Islands.'  The  author  is  Mr.  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle,  who  has  already 
made  considerable  contributions  to  contemporary  literature.  Mr.  Biddle 
gives  much  most  interesting  information,  and  presents  it  in  a  very  read- 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

91 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

able  style,  about  Madeira.  .  .  .  Mr.  Biddle  presents  a  very  useful 
book  in  '  The  Madeira  Islands,'  interesting  in  its  historical  gleanings,  and 
of  practical  value  in  the  advice  and  hints  it  affords  for  all  who  think  of 
visiting  the  Island,  which  is  regarded  by  thousands  of  all  nations  as  the 
Invalids'  Paradise."— The  Sheffield  Telegraph. 

"  An  enthusiastic  account  of  the  Madeira  Islands." — Manchester 
Guardian. 

" '  The  Madeira  Islands'  is  a  well-written  volume,  containing  histori 
cal  facts  and  pleasant  descriptions  of  the  Islands  and  the  people  who 
inhabit  them.  The  author  is  evidently  acquainted  fully  with  his  sub 
ject." — The  Birmingham  Daily  Gazette^ 

"  The  author  has  already  won  his  spurs  in  literature — in  fact,  the  pres 
ent  work  made  Its  appearance  in  first  edition  form  last  year,  and  gained 
golden  opinions.  He  is  an  apt  descriptive  writer  and  a  clever  story-teller. 
.  .  .  The  papers  are  all  interesting,  and  they  contain  a  great  deal  of 
useful  information  respecting  things  in  general  about  the  islands,  their 
scope  ranging  from  statistics  about  the  population  and  items  of  legal  in 
terest  to  the  gay  and  happy  lives  passed  by  the  inhabitants,  the  flora 
and  fauna,  and  the  beautiful  gardens, '  ribeiros,'  and  residences  of  Fun- 
Chal.  .  .  ." — The  London  Transport. 

"  This  is  a  carefully-written  historical  and  descriptive  account  of  the 
Madeira  Islands.  .  .  .  A  picturesque  account  is  given  of  the  discovery 
of  the  first  of  these  islands,  on  All  Saints'  Day  of  the  year  1418.  The  rise 
and  progress  of  the  wine  industry  is  traced,  and  many  interesting  facts 
given.  The  concluding  chapter  is  full  of  useful  information  for  the 
traveler  and  visitor.  Routes  to  Madeira  from  the  various  ports  of  the 
world  are  tersely  summarized.  Practical  information  is  given  on  the 
hotel  service,  private  housekeeping,  the  servant  question,  and  market 
ing.  The  book  is  entertaining  and  practically  useful."— The  Sheffield 
i<  nd  Kotherhain  Independent. 

"...  Increasing  as  Madeira  is  every  year  in  popularity  as  a  health 
resort,  Mr.  Biddle's  exhaustive  account  of  the  Island  will  doubtless  find 
many  appreciative  readers." — The  Newcastle  Leader. 

"...  General  knowledge  of  the  Madeiras  is,  to  say  the  least,  but 
limited.  Mr.  Biddle,  who  is  believed  to  be  the  first  American  who  has 
penned  a  history  of  the  Islands,  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  fact  that  he 
has  succeeded  in  bringing  within  small  compass  all  that  is  worth  know 
ing  of  them.  He  draws  a  graphic  picture  of  the  life  that  may  be  spent 
there,  and  has  much  to  say  that  will  commend  the  happy  isles  to  those 
who  can  afford  a  vacation  in  this  charming  resort."— The  Western 
Daily  Mercury,  Plymouth. 


The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

92 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

From  the  Canadian  Press. 

"...  Contains  ample  information,  conveyed  in  a  direct  and 
simple  manner,  about  the  Madeira  Islands,  where  Mr.  Biddle  resided  for 
a  year,  devoting  his  whole  time  to  collecting  data  for  bis  valuable  guide 
book.  It  is  the  first  illustrated  work  on  the  islands  that  has  ever  been 
published,  and  the  author  has  endeavored  to  tell  us  in  the  compass  of  a 
hundred  and  eleven  pages  all  that  is  worth  knowing  about  their  former 
history  and  present  condition.  .  .  ."—The  Montreal  Star. 

"  We  heartily  recommend  it."— Canadian  Bookseller. 

"In  these  very  disagreeable  and  trying  months  those  who  may  be 
thinking  of  a  finer  climate  and  a  change  of  scene  will  be  interested  in 
.  .  .  'The  Madeira  Islands.'  .  .  .  Part  history,  part  guide-book, 
part  purely  descriptive  and  literary.  There  are  also  maps  and  plans, 
lists  of  steamer  communications,  with  prices  and  all  needful  informa 
tion  for  travelers.  The  historical  part  is  very  useful  and  convenient,  all 
available  sources  having  been  tapped  by  the  author.  .  .  .  It  is  there 
fore  possible  to  have  a  perfect  rest  from  riddles  of  existence  and  problems 
of  politics  and  questions  of  literature  in  that  delightful  land  of  forget- 
fulness  and  silence  amid  the  ever-shining  seas." — The  Mail  and  Em 
pire,  Toronto. 


From  the  Scottish  Press. 

"  The  author  of  this  interesting  and  prettily  illustrated  hand-book  sum 
marizes  the  present  situation  at  Madeira  thus.  .  .  ."—The  Scottish 
Geographical  Magazine.  t 

"...  There  is  certainly  more  life  in  it  than  is  usually  found  in  a 
guide-book.  If  its  style  and  tone  are  essentially  American,  the  volume 
is  not  unentertaiuing,  as  well  as  useful.  .  .  ."—The  Edinburgh 
Scotsman. 

"  Consists  of  a  number  of  detached  papers,  of  which  the  common  fea 
ture  is  that  they  are  readable,  and  that  they  contain  a  great  deal  of  infor 
mation,  both  interesting  and  practically  useful,  about  the  Madeira  Is 
lands.  .  .  ."—The  Glasgow  Herald. 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


93 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE 

FROGGY  FAIRY  BOOK. 

Popular  Edition.  Duodecimo,  66  pp.,  fully  illus 
trated,  printed  from  original  plates,  in  green  art 
vellum  binding,  and  stamped  in  red  and  gold  and 
red  and  silver.  Price,  50  cents. 

FOR  A  CHRISTMAS,  NEW  YEAR,  EASTER 
OR  BIRTHDAY  GIFT. 

Edition  de  Luxe,  limited  to  eight  hundred  copies, 
printed  on  extra  heavy,  super-calendered  paper, 
with  nine  full-page  illustrations  such  as  every  child 
will  love ;  bound  in  red  and  gold,  gold  edges.  Price, 
$1.25. 

Of  this  edition  the  Augusta,  Georgia,  Herald  says  :  "  Taking 
into  consideration  the  heavy  satin-finished  paper  and  the  ex 
quisite  illustrations,  it  is  one  of  the  handsomest  books  for  chil 
dren  that  has  ever  come  to  this  department." 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

94 


PRESS  COMMENTS. 


"Frogs  in  literature  are  associated  in  most  minds  with  fairyland.  No 
one  is  surprised  at  any  adventures  froggy  may  meet  with,  after  the  fate 
that  befell '  The  frog  that  would  a-wooing  go,'  so  many  years  ago.  One 
of  the  best  successors  of  that  ancient  idyl  that  I  have  seen  for  years  is 
'  The  Froggy  Fairy  Book,'  written  by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle  and 
illustrated  by  John  R.  Skeen.  It  tells  of  how  little  Elsie  met  a  funny 
froggy,  who  came  to  her  in  evening  dress,  with  a  lantern  in  his  hand  and 
a  violin  under  his  arm.  After  that  there  is  a  frog  orchestra,  a  frog  prince, 
fairies  of  all  kinds  and  plenty  of  fun.  It  is  a  real  old-fashioned  tale, 
told  with  the  sympathy  of  one  who  loves  children  and  knows  how  to 
write  for  them.  The  illustrations  are  excellent.  The  type  and  paper  are 
good  and  the  volume  is  handsomely  bound."— New  York  Commercial 
Advertiser, 

"The  Christmas  books  of  Mr.  Anthony  Joseph  Drexel  Biddle,  the 
American  writer  and  publisher,  are  becoming  increasingly  popular." — 
London  Literary  World. 

"Mr.  Drexel  Biddle,  of  Philadelphia,  has  published  a  new  edition  of 
'The  Froggy  Fairy  Book,' by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle.  The  binding 
and  the  illustrations,  which  are  by  Mr.  John  R.  Skeen,  might  almost 
suffice  to  account  for  the  remarkable  popularity  of  the  little  volume.  On 
the  other  hand,  however,  it  must  be  admitted  that  without  either  of  these 
adjuncts  the  mere  text  would  have  been  quite  deserving  of  the  favor  to 
which  three  editions  in  less  than  six  months  abundantly  testify.  Tak 
ing  it  altogether,  the  book  is  the  very  thing  to  delight  children."— Glas 
gow  Herald. 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britian,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

95 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

"...  Remarkably  clever,  and  the  long-haired  young  lady  who  has 
wandered  into  Frogland  is  charmingly  contrasted  with  frogs,  who  figure 
as  portly  elderly  gentlemen,  or  are  got  up  like  respectable  family  but 
lers." — The  London  Times. 

"This  little  fairy -story  gives  an  apt  illustration  of  the  difference  be 
tween  the  American  and  the  English  child.  .  .  ."— The  Spectator, 
London. 

"  Elsie  Lee  is  as  American  as  '  Alice  in  Wonderland '  is  English.  It  is 
a  pretty  and  healthy  story,  which  is  certain  to  delight  all  good  chil 
dren." — The  Scotsman,  Edinburgh. 

"...  Parents  at  their  wits'  end  for  a  new  sensation  to  keep  the 
little  folks  quiet,  even  for  a  time,  will  welcome  the  second  edition  of 
'  The  Froggy  Fairy  Book,'  by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle,  which  has  just 
come  from  America.  It  is  unnecessary  to  explain  the  '  plot '  of  this  most 
entertaining  fairy  tale.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  it  contains  all  the  elements 
of  wonder  required  to  gain  for  it  the  approbation  of  the  children,  while 
the  excellent  pictures  are  in  themselves  an  exhaustless  source  of  in 
terest." — The  Dundee  Advertiser, 

"  It  will  hold  the  young  mind."— Cork  (Ireland)  Examiner. 

"  It  is  full  of  childish  interest."— The  Canadian  Bookseller. 

"Afunnybook  for  children,  which  has  obtained  a  great  vogue." — Pall 
Mall  Gazette. 

"The  story,  which  is  cleverly  conceived,  tells  of  the  adventures  of 
Elsie  Lee,  a  typical  little  American  girl  of  tender  years,  among  the  frogs 
that  inhabit  a  certain  little  brook  near  Elsie's  home.  .  .  .  Superbly 
bound.  .  .  .  A  leading  feature  of  the  work  is  the  illustrations,  drawn 
by  the  well-known  artist,  John  R.  Skeen,  of  the  Philadelphia  Times."— 
The  Hew  fork  World. 

"  Fairy-book  literature  receives  an  accession  in  A.  J.  Drexel  Biddle's 
'  Froggy  Fairy  Book.'  "—Boston  Globe. 

"...  Every  parent  will  be  happy  to  see  the  pretty  book  in  the 
hands  of  every  child."—  Chicago  Times-Herald. 

"  The  story  has  hit  the  popular  fancy."— Brooklyn  Standard  Vnion. 

"The  publisher  has  given  us  a  handsome  piece  of  bookmaking  in 
this  unique  work.  .  .  .  Wide-awake  children  will  give  it  a  hearty 
welcome  at  any  season  of  the  year.  The  author  has  followed  out  a  queer 
conception,  and  has  done  it  in  such  a  pleasing  manner  as  to  assure  his 
place  among  the  successful  writers  of  fairy  literature." — Good  House 
keeping. 

The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

96 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

"  '  The  Froggy  Fairy  Book  '  will  be  received  with  transports  by  the 
juvenile  world  of  readers."  —  The  North  American. 

"  One  of  the  successes  of  the  season."  —  The  PhiludeJphia  Times. 
"  Sure  to  amuse  the  children."  —  San  Francisco  Cull. 

"...  \Vorthyofspecialmentionasillustrativeoftheimaginative 
faculty  of  the  writer,  controlled  by  consideration  for  the  capacity  of  those 
he  writes  for.  The  language  of  the  narrative  is  from  '  the  well  of  pure 
English  undefiled,'  and  almost  all  the  words  used  are  monosyllabic,  and 
so  adapted  to  the  understanding  of  the  child  who  reads  or  only  listens  ; 
and  all  who  do  will  surely  call  for  the  second  '  Froggy  Fairy  Book,'  which 
is  promised  from  his  pen."  —  The  Brooklyn  Citizen. 

"'The  Froggy  Fairy  Book,'  by  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle,  though  of 
the  holiday  order,  is  a  book  for  all  seasons.  It  will  never  come  amiss  in 
any  child's  library.  It  is  ingenuous,  quaint,  full  of  strange  conceits  and 
always  interesting.  .  .  .  Children  of  all  ages  will  find  delight  in  its 
pages."  —  'i'hf  Builget. 

"  The  author  of  this  work  is  Mr.  Anthony  J.  Drexel  Biddle,  a  young 
American  journalist,  who  has  already  made  his  mark  in  literature.  A 
simple,  old-fashioned  fairy  tale,  it  treats,  as  its  title  indicates,  of  some  ad 
ventures  in  Frog-land.  Elsie  Lee  is  a  typical  little  American  child.  .  .  . 
As  may  be  imagined,  she  has  plenty  of  fun,  and  all  this  is  interestingly 
described  for  the  benefit  of  young  readers.  .  .  .  The  book  is  in  every 
way  calculated  to  please  the  little  folk  for  whom  it  is  intended,  and  by 
whom  a  much  better  present  could  scarcely  be  desired."—  The  Western 
liaily  Mercury,  Plymouth,  Knyland. 


above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers, 
or  will  be  sent  by  Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage 
prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United  States,  Canada, 
Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


97 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 
JUST  PUBLISHED. 

THE  FLOWERS  OF  LIFE, 

BY 

A.  J.  D.  B. 

Containing,  in  handy  form,  some  of  his  latest 
Avritings,  so  chosen  as  to  make  a  gift-book  appro 
priate  for  presentation  occasions.  Copies  of  this 
volume  are  handsomely  bound  in  blue  and  gold,  in 
white  and  gold,  and  in  yellow  and  gold,  and  are 
printed  on  extra  heavy  paper.  Cloth,  gilt  top,  12mo., 
pp.  88.  Price,  90  cents. 

THE 

SECOND  FROGGY  FAIRY  BOOK, 

HY 

A.  J.  D.  B. 

With  many  full-page  illustrations  by  Anne  Pen- 
nock.  Containing  an  account  of  the  further  adven 
tures  of  Elsie  Lee  in  Frog-  and  Fairy-land.  Cloth, 
gilt  top,  12mo.,  pp.  96.  Price,  75  cents. 

"  The  heroine  is  a  little  girl  named  Elsie,  and  it  is  with  her  adventures 
amongst  frogs,  fairies  and  gnomes  that  the  book  is  concerned." — Dun- 
tlre 


The  above  works  are  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by 
Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United 
States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 

98 


DREXEL  BIDDLE,  PUBLISHER'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


SHANTYTOWN  SKETCHES, 

A  Collection  of  Short  Tales  in  fris/i,  Negro  and  German 
Dialects, 

BY 

A.  J.  D.  B. 

Paper,  12mo.,  pp.  72.     Price,  35  cents. 
The  above  work  is  for  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or 
will  be  sent  by  Drexel  Biddle,  Publisher,  postage 
prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United  States,  Canada, 
Great  Britain,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


SOON  TO  APPEAR. 

BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 


WORD  FOR  WORD 

AND 

LETTER  FOR  LETTER, 

A  NOVEL. 


A  New,  Enlarged  and  thoroughly  Revised  Edition  of 

THE  MADEIRA  ISLANDS, 

Containing  nearly  fifty  full-page  illustrations  and 
numerous  maps,  together  with  additional  chapters 
on  the  History,  the  Vine,  the  Wine,  and  the  Flora. 

99 


JAN  24  198B 
DATE  DUE 


PS3503  I28F5  1897 
Biddle,  Anthony  Joseph 

Drexel,  1874- 
The  flowers  of  life. 


uc  sou™ 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
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AA    001  261  053    1 


TY21'0  "66213  3716" 


